Compact House Inspired by the Popular Tetris Game in Toronto

Tetris, the game, reminds me of my childhood. It’s always nice to bump into projects that are somehow related to that period of time. For those of you who don’t know (somehow I doubt it, but still), the game is all about arranging blocks and trying to find the most efficient way to reach your goal, that of saving space. In other words, your efficiency is getting tested. Based on the same principle, rzlbdarchitects built the Tetris House (Toronto, Canada), a building that “does not afford” to waste too much space. The concept behind is simple: “every inch is a usable inch”.

On the outside, the house impresses with a bold exposure of materials and claddings. The geometry and the intersection of the elements that compose the façade are the first Tetris-like details that clearly suggest that this game inspired the house’s structure. Once inside, you understand what exactly did the architects: they applied an impressive 4000 square feet house program onto a 3000 square feet surface. That means: “5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 2 laundries, nanny room, home office, a large living/dining area and a spacious kitchen, bar with a wine cellar and entertainment area, covered garage and of course lots of storage area.” The best thing is that, despite being compact, the natural light is well distributed throughout the length of the house. [ Photo credit: Courtesy of borXu Design. ]